The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-31
IN AMERICAN DAlklESs
INTERESTING STATISTICS re,
TONISHING VALUES OF
IN, Y. Herald,I

| 81, "N'o 10 hothiuk III III agriculture
that can approach the growth and
progress of American dairying with
IN the past quarter century. There
was a time when butter and cheese
were imported into the United States
tor home consumption, but tho bene-
ticent strides of American agricul-
ture, from the moment il got fair
start, soon changed this state of
affairs, and our farmers have Just
reason to be proud of the record Of
this department OF their haudivork,
not alone IN the extent OF growth
and development OF tho industry,
but especially in the excellence Of
the quality and manufacture of its
products. SO rapid has tho growth
OF the industry been within q few
years that periodical statistics lose
sight OF It in single year aud become
unreliable as TO its exact proportions
at any given time thereafter.
Two years ago Mr.. j. n. Dodge,
the efficient statistician Of tho De-
partment OF Agriculture az Wash
lngton, estimated that the average
value OF our dairy products, includ-
ing milk amounted to over $3.50, OO0,-
600 annually during the previous Eve
years. Additional light since Mr..
Dodges estimate shows that il was
considerably on tho small side and
that the gross value was unquestion-
ably 500, 0OO, 900 at the time, instead
OF the amount given. These figures,
OF course, do not include oleomarga-
rine, of which, MIR. Dodge says, "a
pound or So per head is consumed
by our people. Adding the rate Of
increase between the years 1880 and
1889 to the above-that is, the larger
figure, in order 10 take in 1886 aud
lSS7-the value Of our dairy products
this year will be at least SlSs, 900 900.
This exceeds tho value OF our annual
wheat yield by $4,000, 900, and
comes next 10 corn, which is tho
most valuable Of all our farm pro-
ducts. In 1860 the value OF our en-
tire dairy products was about $780,
100000 including milk, showing an
increase OF 800 per cent. during the
twenty-seveu years. Another feat
ure OF these figures is that tho in
crease Of value noted is genuine and
in no way inflated, as the prices from
which the amounts we're made up in
1857 aud 1860 aud in tho present case
were about the same.
The quantities OF our dairy pre-
ducts aud the amount Of capiIal in
vested in the industry are still more
impressive than the values. Accord
ing TO the latest statistics aud esti-
mates the number Of milk cows now
in use for dairy purposes is 81 ,Oe0,.
900, Mr.. Dodge estimates that each
OF these will give at least $50 gallons
OF milk ia the year. Tnis would
make the annual supply Z, 800, ono, 0e0
gallons, Of which a little more than
half, OF about 1900 ,000, zoe gallons,
is consumed in butter making, and
400, OOO, 900 gallons in cheese making,
making the quantity consumed 10
the natural state 2,4SO, 0Oe. 0e0-or
perhaps we should say the natural
aud adulterated state, for this would
be stating the case exactly. The
quantity OF butter produced, accord
iug 20 the above fgures, is abaut
| $50 OOO, 600 pounds, aud Of choose
$500 OO pounds. Butter generally
averages enc pound ~ every three
gallons Of milk, aud cheese one pound
to about every ITO gallons. some
make pound OF cheese out Of every
ton pounds or one gallon OF milk, bat
they don't all average this. Tho
same is true OF butter making. Some
COWS milk, even among the same
breed, will produce more butter than
that OF others.
The capital invested is, OF course.
almost entirely made up OF the stock
u cows, land. working animals, ma
chlnory, etc used In carp ing en the
industry. Allowing 60 per head for
the COWS, the latest average ma de by
tie Department of Agriculture, we
have 1870 OOO, 900 toward capiul.
According 10 the last census, il
any reliance can be placed upon il,
the quantity OF improved land in
farms in 1879 was Nc, 100 00l acres
and OF unimproved lani 1j5, 0D0, 900
aorcs-in all, $40 O0O, 100 acres. Al
loving that TITS area has increased
10 COO,OOO,0D0 acres since 1872, and
that two thirds Of the Increased area
are now under cultivation and past
uros. We have 400 900 900 for tho
maintenance OF all farm animals, as
IL were. Taking a quarter Of this
a. the area necessary Tor tho support
OF the dairy herd, wo get q total
area OF 100 600, 600 acres, or some
thing less than i've acres 10 tho COW.
This area, at an AVERAGE value Of S2S
per acre, Rives US another item OF
y, 500, 0O0, 900 toward. ea pital.
Ol the 10 0OO, 600 working horses
aud mules now rtckonsd % be fon
farms let us take 900 900 az the
quota necessary ~ carry Oh the dairy
Industry. These will average about
N5 each in value, making a total Of
$75 0OO, 900.
Then wo have fences, buildings,
creameries, dairy machinery, eto.,
which are estimated 10 be worth tT5,-
OO0,OOO more.
The magnitude OF this cnunera-
hon will be more clearly seen by the
lOlloNlug TecapllulatlOn.
loO.OOo.OOl acre, oftanJ, at -
q ool,s.so se,. 4, 49,; $500 az
| l,OOJ on .ofk,nE horses tf5 pes
| . . heal sssst.ss .sssssslssf.ssssss I1sfW w
DuildibEs, dairy IA lehihsry, ets MOO. %
I -
Total-........ a-...... .... 81 ~. CO... 600
This is nearly Ave times the entire
amount Of babk capital ia the coun-
try, which, according TO tho last re-
port Of tito Comptroller Of thc.Cur-
rency, was something less than f67l,-
900 900 January LIST last, counting na-
tiolal, STAT, private aud savings
baits aud trust aud Loan companies
all together. Il will, no doubt, be Q
surprise 60 a good many that the
dairy industry should DO 70 very far
ahead OF the banking business az this
ia the matter Of capital Invested.
Certainly 10 OHe could dream Of such